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www.westminsac.org

Our Mission Statement:

Westminster is a welcoming, inclusive community of faith, following Christ’s example by

supporting spiritual growth, serving others, and promoting peace and justice.

Senior Pastor Rev. Wes Nordman Dir. of Youth & Children’s Ministry ...... ..... Diana Wright Director of Choir ................................. ..... Lee Hoffman Organist ............................................... ..... Brad Slocum Office & Facilities Administrator ......... .... Gordon Zerkel Communications Theresa Keegan Faith Community Nurse ...................... ..... Jean Harlow Secretary ............................................. ..... Joanie Mather

M I N I S T R Y T E A M M O D E R A T O R S

Deborah MacMillan Administration Elizabeth Meyer Personnel Ministry Robyn Cox Membership Chuck Nicol Mission Outreach Susan Watkins Stewardship Kace Schwarm Christian Education Jan Sharpless Worship Nancy Wegge Clerk of Sessions

www.westminsac.org 916-442-8939 communications@westminsac.org

We want to hear from you The newsletter is an opportunity to publicize the special events and wonderful people at Westminster. Please share your information with us. To submit items for consideration in the newsletter, please contact Theresa Keegan at communications@westminsac.org or call the office on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Thanks.

The 2015 church directories are available - one per family please. Also, please note that we incorrectly identified Dale Pugh, who is also a member of the Esther-Ruth Circle, and the home phone number for Gordon Zerkel should be 916-925-2069. We regret the errors and ap-preciate the membership ministry’s hard work with this complex project.

1300 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-442-8939

Apri l , 2015

A well-rounded education is priceless. When developing minds get to experience music and art and dance, the outcomes are stunning- not just in the fin-ished products, but also in the child’s development. This realization will be celebrated at Westminster on May 1, when the Fifth Annual William Land Arts Re-vue will be held. The partnership between the school and the church is the ultimate win-win for everyone. Through-out the year members of Westminster go to William Land to tutor students, assist teachers and be connect-ed with area youth. The church also helps fund field trips and after school activities. In fact, just about a decade ago, Westminster was instrumental in starting up the ballet after-school program, which led to the other arts-focused pro-grams. Our outreach, coordinated by Westminster’s Phil Stohr, has been a great way for many people to put their faith into action. While Phil has immensely

enjoyed this relationship, he believes it’s time for others to come forward with new energy. Certainly, this revue should inspire people who want to become involved. On Friday night the students, their parents and the community will gather at our church for the show, which begins promptly at 6 p.m. There will be danc-ing, music, singing, drumming and theater. Even the school’s Chinese folk-dance group will perform. The show lasts about an hour and there is a reception for everyone afterward. Of special significance will be recognition of Ron Cunningham & Carinne Binda, co-artistic direc-tors of the Sacramento Ballet. They have devoted co-pious time and energy to the school ballet classes. This is an opportunity to see first-hand the payoffs from the students’ hard work, our diverse support of this wonderful school and the amazing, wonderful cre-ations that happen when kids are given a chance.

Annual Arts Revue celebrates church, school partnership

Parish groups offer opportunities for new connections The new approach of having Westminster members meet with other nearby residents is proving very successful. The parish get togethers have been well-attended and peo-ple seem to enjoy the relaxed approach. Based on ZIP codes, the eight parishes are encouraging a sense of com-munity among members and friends. While there is no set way to approach the camara-derie that ensues, it’s hoped that these faith-based rela-tionships will encourage sup-port if needed, such as

Members of Parish 5 met at Herb Freeman’s house in March.

offering rides to church, or helping out if there’s an illness. Group meetings vary from being held in people’s homes to being held at area restau-rants, at church and other gathering places. They’re also an opportunity to cross a genera-tional divide as families with children are also joining in with older members of Westminster. (For a listing of parishes and deacons, see page 4)

YOUTH EVENTS:

Sunday, May 17: Gradu-ation recognition Service

Sunday, May 31: Hot dogs and cool music bar-becue on Jazz Sunday

August 3-7: Experience a Blast to the Past with Vacation Bible School for ages 3 through Grade 5

More youth news page 5

FRIDAY MAY 1 6 p.m.

Reception follows

Wes’ Wonderings

Page 2 April, 2015

To prepare new members for their public profession of faith on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, Pastor Wes has been teaching a class on The Essentials of Christian Practice. It meets Sundays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. in the Patio Room. The class is not limited to prospective new members. It is open to all who wish to ex-plore anew what it means to follow the Jesus way. Childcare is available. Upcoming topics include: April 26, Love (Living in community); May 3, Vocation; May 10, Engaging scripture and May 24, Love (Engaging the world in wit-ness and protest)

Beginning the journey, guided by Christ’s transformative spirit

Classes address faith

F or the Christian, the Feast of Pentecost marks the beginning of a jour-ney. During the Easter season, we have witnessed the resurrected Christ in the joy of our common life together, in the springtime renewal of the earth and in our transformed awareness of Christ’s Spirit which dwells in us. Pentecost celebrates the fire that ignited the first disciples to take their Easter experience into the world, to transform it. Like-wise, we will join together at on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, to open ourselves to the Spirit’s cleansing and healing power, so that we might also begin our journey as God’s ministers of reconciliation into a world deeply estranged from God’s shalom.

One of the ways we will celebrate the Spirit’s activity among us on Pentecost Sunday is by receiving new members into the life of the congregation. Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, tells us that over 3,000 people joined that early band of believers at the Feast of Pentecost when the Spirit descended. We won’t have quite that many joining us on May 24, but still it will be a time of rejoicing all the same.

You can contribute to the festivities on May 24 by wearing the color red to worship that day—red dresses, ties, pants, hats, blouses, etc. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red and the more red the better, as far as I am concerned.

Second, you can help me read the Second Scripture Reading on Pentecost Sunday. Let me explain: I’ll be reading Acts 2:1-21. In part of that text, Luke tells us that the disciples, filled with the Spirit, began to speak spontaneously in foreign languages that the Jews who were gathered in Jerusalem from all over the region recognized as their own. To give us a sense of what that must have sounded like, I invite you to read Acts 2:5-13 aloud with me, in a foreign language you are familiar with. Maybe you have a foreign language Bible at home you could read from when I read, or you could go to www.biblegateway.com and print out the text in any number of different languages. Without prompting or introduction, simply lift your voice and read with me when I get to Acts 2:5 and stop reading with verse 13. One time when I invited a congregation to do this, someone even read from some sort of Star Trek language. Quite inter-esting.

I look forward to our Pentecost party and the journey it begins. Your fellow sojourner,

Wes

April, 2015 Page 7

Discovering a real Easter treat at work

Get those peanuts and Cracker Jacks! Westminster is going to the River Cats It is time for Westminster to plunge into America’s favorite pastime. A fun for all ages event is slated for June 19 when we’ll have a group section at a River Cats game. Our hometown heroes be taking on the Reno Aces, at Raley Field with a 7:05 p.m. starting time and what better way to end a glorious summer night than with post game fireworks! But there is a catch (and we don’t mean in the ball-field!)You must order before June 7. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first-served basis. Order forms are outside the office. $16 tickets include free parking and fireworks. Contact Mark Hargreaves 916-747-8403 or railfan@surewest.net.

By Theresa Keegan Westminster Communications Coordinator

I was privileged to see a behind-the scenes view of Westminster in action during this Easter sea-son, and what a view it was.

In the past, my Easter preparation started a week be-fore. I focused on making sure the kids had clean clothes and that they hadn’t outgrown their dress shoes. Some years travel and reservations were involved. There was my internal debate, yet again, about whether the type of ham really makes a difference (it does) and justifies the cost (it doesn’t.) Annually I color Easter eggs, go to a chocolatier and wait until the peeps achieve just the right amount of staleness be-fore eating them. We go to church, we celebrate. This year my preparations started with Ash Wednes-day. I found myself creat-ing forms for people to dedicate Easter lilies (thank you to those who stepped forward) I attend-ed a planning session for a Maundy Thursday ser-vice. I ordered banners and signs. I created a newsletter deadline so that information could go out ahead of Holy week. I produced four bulletins in one week. And I was hardly doing anything compared to my co-workers. I sat in awe at weekly meetings as I listened to all that needed to happen, behind-the-scenes activi-

ties and preparations that ensure Westminster’s ser-vices would be remem-bered for all the right rea-sons. Who even knew California prohibited date palms from being imported? This snafu could’ve put quite a damp-er on Palm Sunday procession, but fortitude and inge-nuity prevailed and the procession was beautiful. Pancake breakfast pros and cons were debated and Easter egg hunts were planned. Hallways were cleaned, room setups were reviewed. Light bulbs replaced, can-dle snuffers found. Art work was hung. Music was re-peatedly practiced. Phones were answered graciously, even when it was the same question again and again. (Services are at 9 and 11 on Sunday.) And lily plants were force bloomed. Through it all, Wes reminded us we are honored to be doing this work – that we should be guided by God’s grace. It worked. And in addition to the staff activities, members were constantly, willingly partaking in Holy Week and Easter Sunday preparations. Singers and musicians were rushing to practice after work, not minding that they’re eating on the go and leaving families at home. The PWOW group strategized over the ramifications of a new approach on the Maundy Thursday Service, took risks and were rewarded with a meaningful event, gath-ering people at the table. A communal focal point of beauty was created when a chickenwire cross was transformed because various flowers from members’ gardens were used to adorn it, proof positive that the sum is greater than its parts. Overall, it was a spectacular Easter. It was filled with meaning, mindfulness and a whole new appreciation of all that’s involved in sharing the life, death and the resurrection of Jesus

Page 6 April, 2015

MAGAZINES MINISTRY CONTINUES TO AID INMATES

We’re thrilled to announce that June Kanter has stepped up to take over the magazine ministry, where used magazines are gath-ered for inmates at the county jail. She will be replacing Marilyn Winter who has been serving in this capacity for years. We all thank Marilyn for her hard work and selfless giving for this pro-gram that makes a real difference for inmates.

In some cases, magazines can be chosen by individual inmates for reading, at other times they are used in recreation projects or by chaplains. People can leave magazines on the hallway bench, across from Wes’s office. June will make sure that all identifiable addresses are removed and that the magazines are appropriate be-fore she delivers them.

LIVING THE FAITH

This year the Mission Outreach Ministry Team would like to invite our church community to participate in the United Way Day of Caring, which brings together volunteer groups to work on needed service projects. This year the Day of Caring will fit-tingly be on Friday, September 11, which is the National Day of Service--the nation's largest annual day of charitable engagement. United Way is currently working with community partners to identify the greatest needs in our five-county region to develop 10 large volunteer projects that will make the most lasting impact. These volunteer opportunities will initially be posted by United Way in late July/early August. In the meantime, we would like to gather a list of church members who might want to be involved. No firm commitment is required at this time, as we do not yet know the specific projects, but just an expression of interest. If you think you might want to be part of this effort, please contact Chuck Nicol at csnicol@sbcglobal.net.

Mission Outreach Team considers

supporting annual Day of Caring Free firewood, chips from parking lot tree

Although the cedar in the parking lot will be cut down it does have an op-portunity to live on in your life - in the form of firewood or mulch chips.

On Saturday, June 13 the arborist will be cutting down the tree, starting at 8:30 a.m. Members and friends wish-ing to obtain any of the wood for fire-wood, or even artists wanting some, are invited to come down and help themselves.

There will also be a chipper available for people wanting mulch (yes, we’re planning to use it for mulch around the church as well.) However, the entire process is expected to end at 11 a.m., so don’t delay. Whatever is not taken by that time will be hauled off by the tree removal company.

Donated magazines may be left in the hallway.

Presbytery news and announcements STATED MEETING The Stated Meeting of the Pres-bytery will be held on May 14 at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 3235 Pope Ave., Sacra-mento, starting at 9 a.m., (registration 8:30)

The focus will be “Being the Church Together.” There will be a panel on conducting diffi-

cult discussions and there will be voting on Proposed Amend-ments to the Book of Order.

OPENINGS The Presbytery is looking for an Interim General Presbyter as well as a minutes clerk. El Do-rado Federated seeks an office manager. For more info www.sacpresby.org

Easter donations support programs This year’s One Great Hour of Shar-ing collection at Westminster raised $4,333,24. This overwhelming and generous response will be used to support Presbytery programs, includ-ing Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self-development of People and the Hunger Program.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Page 3 APRIL, 2015

The 5th Annual William Land School Arts Revue will be held Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary.

PWOW will be hosting the Reception af-ter the event in the Courtyard and Patio rooms.

Circle members are asked to provide cookies and help with the event. Bring cookies between 4:00 and 5:30 pm to help with set up. Help is needed for serving during the event as well for clean up after the event.

PWOW hosts reception following Arts Revue

M A Y C I R C L E M E E T I N G S Circle Date Time Place

Mary/Martha 4-20 & 5-18 7:00 pm Club Room

Sophia 4-28 10:00 am Barbara Black 5-26 10:00 am Lois Swanson

Esther/Ruth 5-3 12:30 am Serra Room

The Searchers 5-12 11:30 am Library

Hannah 5-21 6:30 pm Serra Room

All women in the church are invited to join a Circle for Bible study, fellowship and fun. Call Sharyl Stevens 942-9534 or Mary Jane Root 362-8485 for additional information.

Everyone is invited to the Presbyterian Women’s Spring Gathering and Luncheon on Saturday, May 9 at noon in the Social Hall. We will also Dedicate the Birthday Offering. Our moderator, Sharyl Stevens will inform us of a program to improve the lives of women and children fleeing the bru-tality associated with the drug trade and promote social change in the lives of residents through tutoring programs, Bible study, sports and cultural programs. Gifts to the Birthday Offering will help build a Community Center to replace the inadequate structure that currently houses The Bethesda Community Center in Barranquille, Columbia. Your gift will also allow The Community of St. Therese of Lisieux in Memphis, Tennessee to help women seeking to learn a new way of life after surviving prostitution, human trafficking and addiction. Their program, Breaking Free provides food, clothing and shelter to the women, coor-dinates various types of medical care and helps them transition to independence. Your gift will allow CTSL to purchase and renovate property and buy equipment for training and vocational skills. The Presbyterian Women of Westminster are especially honored to to hear Ali Nordman address the year she spent in Mission in Chicago. Ali notes her experience: “Love God, love people – Nothing else matters. I invite you to come and take a peek at what life was like for me during the year that God called me to mission work. I will take you back to Sep-tember 2010 through August 2011 on the hot muggy streets of south side Chicago and share my personal experiences of God and the people that I met there as well as go into detail about the program of Mission Year itself.”

May luncheon will raise awareness about issues, faith

Speaker Ali Nordman will discuss her year of mission work in Chicago

Let mom enjoy the good things in life guilt free PWOW Equal Exchange will be selling organic, fair-trade coffee as well as an assortment of delicious chocolates on May 10, which just so happens to be Mother’s Day! Coinci-dence? Think not. (But now you know why PWOW sells on the second Sunday of the month.)

While we would NEVER suggest waiting until the last minute to get a gift in honor of this most important woman, we do say that with a little planning, you may be able to convince her you actually thought long and hard about her gift and that it’s waiting for her after ser-vice on Sunday… and remember, calories don’t count if it’s for a good cause.

Page 4 April, 2015

Memorial is planned for Pastor Jack Raymore The former pastor of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, Jack Raymore, passed away on Saturday April 4, at his home in Virginia. He had been in declining health. A memorial will be held in Virginia on Pentecost, May 24. Cards can be sent to his wife, Judi Raymore 6125 Smith Mountain Rd, Penhook, V.A. 24137.

Session meeting update

On March 24 the Session met and took the following actions:

Adopted “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” as the church-wide ministry theme for the 2015-2016 program year beginning in September. (This theme was further developed at the April 18 Celebration of Ministry event.) Approve the following distribution of the Christmas Eve 2014 offering, which totaled $3,725.11: $1,500 for Winter Sanctuary for winter 2015-16 (this will provide for five sessions); $500 to River City Food Bank; $500 to Francis House; $500 to Wind Youth Services; $500 to Women's Empower-ment. Approve sponsorship of Heifer Inter-national's storytelling program at the church on Sunday, September 20 from 3 to 4:30 pm. Approve expenditure of $525.00 from Westminster Ringers Fund for retreat at Lake Tahoe, Sept. 18-19, 2015, for Westminster’s Bell Choir.

May 3 Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 *John 15:1-8 Stay Connected May 10 Genesis 1:27-31; 2:4b-9 John 1:1-5; 2:9-14 Rev. Richard Pearson preaching May 17 Honoring Graduates Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 *Psalm 1 1 John 5:9-13 John 17:6-19 The Happy Path

May 24 Pentecost and Receiving New Members Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 104:24-34 Romans 8:22-27 *Acts 2:1-21 When Heaven Crashes Down May 31 11am—Jazz Sunday; 9am—Contemplative service in the chapel Isaiah 6:1-8 *Psalm 29 Romans 8:12-17 *John 3:1-17 A Rainbow of Chaos *Sermon on this reading.

May scriptures, sermons and special occasions

The ever-popular Jazz Sunday celebration will be held May 31, at 11 a.m.

Westminster’s parishes are assigned based on members’ home ZIP codes. They are as follows:

Parish 1 Tim Hawkins, Joseph Gormley: 95204, 624, 683, 757, 758, 820, 823, 824, 828, 829, 830 Parish 2 Doug Griebner, Violet Pyles: 95831 Parish 3 Hillary Pollock, Jeff Jahn: 95608, 610, 621, 628, 630, 655, 661, 670, 762, 826, 827

Parish 4 Gil Crane, Madeline Crane: 95815, 821, 825, 864

Parish 5 - Herb Freeman 95816, 817, 819 Parish 6 Judy Jolley, Cheryl Stewart: 95818, 822

Parish 7 Blu Brown,Diane Houle: 95605, 616, 620, 691,811, 814 Parish 8 Denise Jones, Mike Reeves: 95673, 722, 747, 765, 833, 834, 835, 838, 841, 843

Page 5 Apri l , 2015

Eric Hargreaves UC Davis Bailey Jones TBD Emily Jumper UC San Diego Morgan Newton Chico State Elaine Romano Princeton University Andrew Sisterson Humboldt State Connor Sisterson Folsom Jr. College Ryan Franklin Tarnasky Chico State Rachel Franklin Tarnasky Monterey State Michelle Utterback Arizona State

Get ready world! Westminster’s grads are going places

While it hardly seems possible, in fact another group of amazing West-minster youth will be venturing out into the world when they graduate high school this year. Where does the time go? Please join us on May 17 when we honor them at our service. There will be a celebratory reception after the 11 a.m. service. Also, if you have any graduates you’d like included in our service, please send their name along to Diana Wright at 916-442-8939 or Diana@westminsac.org.

Welcome to Dante David Subang Parigini who was born Feb. 8, weighing in at 7 lbs, 15 ounces, son of Franny Subang.

This past Sunday, April 26, was a star-studded day at West-minster. Events began following the 11 a.m. service when a delicious pasta luncheon was served in the Club Room, and then more than 75 people meandered over to the Social Hall where they were entertained for the next hour with music, dancing and jokes. There really was something for everyone during this fun afternoon get together. Most importantly, this good time aided the youth summer mission trips. This year the junior high students will travel to Stockton to help improve housing as well as a community farm. The senior high students will be going to Chiloquin Oregon, to help the community where members of the Kla-math Tribe live and over 33% live below poverty level. These summer mission trips are a great opportunity for Westminster’s youth to experience the joy of being involved in a faith-based service project and the experiences stay with them their whole lives. It was so nice to see such an outpouring of support for the show and our youth.

Sunday’s talent show and luncheon helped youth missions

Joke telling by the Wares entertained in 2014 and 2015.

Youth events, activities continue through summertime

There are plenty of exciting events happen-ing for Westminster’s youth. Questions? Please contact Diana@westminsac.org.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Save the dates now! Westminster’s popular VBS will be held Aug. 3-7 for ages three through Fifth grade.

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE Applications for the Marie Weldon Taub-eneck Youth Scholarship will be accepted until May 31. This is intended for dual pur-pose: to reward youth members who have contributed in a meaningful way to the life of Westminster Church and the Presbyterian denomination and to encourage the career and personal goals of youth by supporting their post-secondary education. High school seniors who are church members are en-

couraged to apply. Applications will be across from the office after May 4.

VBS INTERNS NEEDED Students in junior or senior high, or college, who have volunteer or Vacation Bible School experience, and enjoy working with school age children, can apply for a paid internship. Work dates are the weeks of July 20, July 27 and Aug. 3-7. Applications are available cross from the office and are due May 31. YOUNG EXPLORERS OVERNIGHT In conjunction with the William Land Arts Revue, students in grades 3-6 are invited for an overnight of fun and games. Drop off 6 p.m. Friday, pick up 8:30 a.m. Saturday. $5 per child. Bring pjs, a flashlight, sleeping bag and toothbrush. RSVP to Diana.